Frederick Dengate

Frederick Dengate

KEY DATES:

Born: 30 August 1867, Peasmarsh, East Sussex

Baptised: 17 November 1867, St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh, East Sussex

Married: 18 June 1890, Eastbourne Register Office, East Sussex

Died: 30 March 1946, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Buried: 14 April 1946, Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne, East Sussex

BIOGRAPHY:

Frederick (Fred) Dengate was born 30 August 1867 in Peasmarsh to Thomas and Frances Dengate. He was baptised in St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh on 17 November 1867 along with his older brothers Charles Dengate and John Thomas Dengate.

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh

The 1871 census shows Fred as a three-year old scholar living with his parents and brothers and sisters in the Kings Head pub, Peasmarsh. In 1881 he was still living with his parents and brothers and sisters on Main Street, Peasmarsh as a thirteen year old agricultural labourer. Sometime between 1881 and 1891, Fred left the family home in Peasmarsh to settle in Eastbourne, although the exact reasons for his leaving are unknown, but it was very likely due to gain employment. Upon arrival in Eastbourne Fred set up a taxi service, using a horse-drawn cab before going to work as a porter at Eastbourne Train Station.

Fred married Lizzie Bridgeland on 18 June 1890 in Eastbourne Register Office. Fred's sister Hannah Dengate was witness to the marriage along with W. G. Elphick. At the time of the marriage Fred was residing at 8 Park Terrace, St Leonard's Road, Eastbourne and Lizzie was residing at 11 St Helen's Road, Hastings. The couple had 4 children; Grace Elizabeth, Beatrice, Thomas Frederick and Florence Dengate, all born in Eastbourne. Their first child Grace died aged 4 months at the family home of 21 Commercial Road and was buried 3 October 1891 in a common grave in Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne. In 1901 the family are still recorded living at 21 Commercial Road, Eastbourne where Fred was working as a coal carter.

21 Commercial Road, Eastbourne, 2003

Dengate family

(from left) Fred, Beatrice, Florence, Tom and Elizabeth Dengate, c.1916

By 1920, Fred, Elizabeth and their children had moved to 11 Waterworks Road in Eastbourne, where their son Tom lived after them for many years. Next-door at number nine Waterworks Road lived Fred's niece Matilda Gutsell (nee Dengate) who had lived with Fred and his parents and siblings in Peasmarsh around the time of the 1881 census. It was likely Fred who helped Matilda to move over to Eastbourne.

Elizabeth Dengate died 8 November 1931 aged 64 years in Eastbourne and was buried in Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne.

Fred Dengate attended the Dengate Reunion in 1939 alongside his 5 brothers and 2 sisters at the Masonic Hall in Hastings. The reunion was suggested by Fred's brother Ernest Alfred Dengate, who thought it a good idea to meet up at an event other than a funeral! For many of the surviving brothers and sisters it was the first time they had met in 60 years.

The Dengate Family

Seated (left to right) William (Bill), Ernest Alfred, John Thomas (Tom)

Standing (left to right) Caroline (Carrie), Jim, Frederick (Fred), Charles and Hannah

On the 4 April 1944, Fred made out his will, leaving £50 to his three surviving brothers (who all remained in Peasmarsh), Tom, Charles and Jim, the remainder of his estate was divided among his son and two daughters. Fred Dengate died two years later of a brain haemorrhage on 30 March 1946 aged 78 years at 29 Dillingburgh Road, Eastbourne, the home of his daughter Beatrice Hepton. He was buried with his wife Elizabeth Dengate in Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne.

29 Dillingburgh Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, 2003

Fred and Elizabeth Dengate's grave, Ocklynge Cemetery, 2003

The grave inscription reads, "In loving memory of my dear wife Elizabeth Dengate passed away November 8th 1931 aged 64 years. 'In God's keeping.' Also of Fred Dengate devoted husband of above passed away March 30th 1946 aged 78 years. 'Peace Perfect Peace.'"

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